Ratchet tightening device for retaining a strap, and a snowboard binding having such tightening device

ABSTRACT

A device for tightening a strap including a base, a drive lever, a ratchet, and a release button. The base has a first and second flange connected by a bridge. The lever and the ratchet are journalled on the base, the retaining portion of the ratchet being elastically biased toward the bridge, The button is substantially retracted with respect to the lever, or with respect to the flanges, in a direction substantially perpendicular to the bridge, when the lever is in a rest position that enables the strap to be retained, a position in which a handling end of the lever is the closest to the bridge. The invention is also directed to a snowboard binding that incorporates the tightening device.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0001] 1. Field of the Invention

[0002] The present invention relates to a ratchet tightening device to be used on a sport-related item, such as a sports garment or a sports article, as well as such sports garments and articles incorporating such tightening device.

[0003] 2. Description of Background and Relevant Information

[0004] Ratchet tightening devices am used to reversibly tension elements such as shoe flaps, pieces of fabric, or the like,

[0005] An example of an application of such devices is provided for in the field of snowboarding. Certain snowboard bindings include one or several linkages for removably retaining a boot onto a base of the binding.

[0006] A linkage generally includes a strap, a cover, and a ratchet tightening device affixed to the cover. The length of the linkage is adjusted by displacing the strap with respect to the cover by means of the device. To tis end, a lever of the device makes it possible to shorten the linkage, the ratchet preventing an extension when the lever is inactive. If necessary, the extension of the linkage, or its opening by separating the strap and the cover, is obtained by acting on the ratchet by means of a release button. This operation is performed manually by the user of the device, i.e., by a person who practices snowboarding, and who wishes either to reduce the tension of the linkage, or to release a boot from a binding.

[0007] However, an extension or an undesired opening of the linkage appears to occur under certain circumstances. This means that the user's foot, against his/her will, is no longer adequately tightened or retained on the board.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0008] One of the objects of the invention is to avoid an undesired displacement of a strap with respect to a ratchet device.

[0009] To this end, the invention proposes a device for tightening a strap including a base, a drive lever, a ratchet, and a release button, the base having a first flange and a second flange connected by a bridge, the lever being journalled on the base between the flanges, the lever including an end provided to drive the strap along a first direction substantially parallel to the flanges and to the bridge, on the one hand, and a handling end, on the other hand, the ratchet being journalled on the base between the flanges, the ratchet having a retaining zone provided to oppose the displacement of the strap along a second direction opposite the first direction, an elastic means constantly biasing the retaining zone of the ratchet toward the bridge, the release button being provided to move the retaining zone of the ratchet away from the bridge against the action of the elastic means,

[0010] The button of the tightening device according to the invention is substantially retracted with respect to the lever, or at least with respect to the flanges, in a direction substantially perpendicular to the bridge, when the lever is in a rest position that enables the strap to be retained, a position in which the handling end is the closest to the bridge,

[0011] Thus, the support or impact of an object on the device is very unlikely to induce a movement of the ratchet and, subsequently, a displacement of the strap.

[0012] In the case of the snowboard binding, a support or impact on the device is unlikely to induce an extension or an opening of the linkage.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0013] Other characteristics and advantages of the invention will be better understood from the description that follows, with reference to the annexed drawings showing, by way of non-limiting examples, how the invention can be embodied, and in which:

[0014]FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a snowboard binding provided with a tightening device according to the invention.

[0015]FIG. 2 is a side view of the device.

[0016]FIG. 3 is a schematic cross-section of the tightening device along the line III-III of FIG. 1.

[0017]FIG. 4 is a cross-section similar to FIG. 3, in a case where the device drives a strap.

[0018]FIG. 5 is a cross-section similar to FIG. 3, in a case where the device releases the strap.

[0019]FIG. 6 is a partial enlargement of FIG. I that shows the device better, in a case where the latter retains the strap.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0020] According to the selected example, as shown in FIG. 1, a binding 1 retains a boot 2 on a snowboard 3.

[0021] In a known manner, the binding 1 has a base plate 4, as well as a first lateral flange 5 and a second lateral flange 6 connected to one another by an arch 7 positioned behind the boot 2.

[0022] The base plate 4 extends along a longitudinal direction L of the binding, between a front end 8 and a rear end 9.

[0023] A linkage 10 is provided to removably retain the boot 2 on the binding 1.

[0024] In a non-limiting manner, the linkage 10 includes, for example, a cover 11, a strap 12, and a device 13 for tightening the strap.

[0025] The cover 11, made with one or several layers of flexible material, for example, has a front fastening point 14 and a rear fastening point 15 on the first lateral edge 5.

[0026] The strap 12 is fastened on the second lateral edge 6.

[0027] The fasteners of the cover 11 and of the strap 12 are obtained by any suitable means, such as a journal.

[0028] The structure and functioning of the device 13 are explained hereinafter by means of FIGS. 2-6.

[0029] The tightening device 13 is seen in a side view in FIG. 2. It includes a U-shaped base 16 provided to guide the strap 12, The base 16 includes a first flange 17 and a second flange 18 connected by a bridge 19.

[0030] The base 16 is affixed to the cover 11 by means, for example, of a rivet having an axis 20.

[0031] The strap 12 is obtained in the form of a rack, preferably made of plastic. The teeth 21 and the core 22 of the strap 12 preferably form a unitary piece.

[0032] As shown in FIG. 3, the tightening device 13 includes a ratchet 23 journalled along an axis 24 between the flanges 17, 18. An elastic mechanism, not shown, such as a spring, constantly biases the ratchet 23 such that a retaining zone 25 of the ratchet is pushed toward the bridge 19. The retaining zone 25 is shown in the form of a tooth.

[0033] A drive lever 26 includes a handle or manipulable end 27, on the one hand, and a driving end 28 provide with at least one tooth 29, on tie other hand.

[0034] A release member, such as a release button 30, has a cam surface 31 provided to press on a cam surface 32 of the ratchet 23, and a handle or manipulable end 33 provided to be actuated by hand.

[0035] The drive lever 26 and the release button 30 are journalled on the same axis 34, between the flanges 17, 18. An elastic mechanism, not shown, such as a spring, constantly biases the lever 26 such that the handle or manipulable end 27 is pushed toward the bridge 19.

[0036] Thus, in the absence of any outside force, the constituent parts of the tightening device 13 occupy the rest position as shown in FIG. 3,

[0037] As the strap 12 is present along the bridge 19, between the flanges 17, 18, i.e., in the base 16, the ratchet 23 opposes an extension of the linkage 10. This means that an end 35 of the strap 12 cannot be displaced in a direction going from an inner edge 36 toward an outer edge 37 of the base 16.

[0038] However, a displacement in the opposite direction is possible. This displacement can be caused by the user as is the case in FIG. 4.

[0039] The drive lever 26 is actuated by means of tie end 27, such that the teeth 29 drive the strap 12. In this case, the end 35 of the strap 12 moves in a direction going from the outer edge 37 toward the inner edge 36. This means that the linkage 10 becomes shorter. The boot is more firmly tightened.

[0040] Conversely, if the user wishes to loosen the linkage, or even to release the boot by opening the linkage, he/she only needs to proceed as shown in FIG. 5.

[0041] In this case, the drive lever 26 is not biased since its handle/manipulable end 27 occupies the position that is the closest to the bridge 19. The user acts with a finger, for example, on the handle/manipulable end 33 of the release button 30.

[0042] The cam surface 31 of the button 30 presses on the cam surface 32 of the ratchet 23, such that the retaining zone 25 of the ratchet 23 moves away from the bridge 19 and the strap 12. The linkage 10 can extend, because the ratchet 23 no longer retains the strap 12.

[0043] As soon as the action of the button 30 ceases, the ratchet 23 reassumes a retaining position.

[0044] An advantage, induced by the structure of the tightening device 13, is that the manual action on the release button 30 tends to extend and open the linkage 10.

[0045] According to the invention, as seen better in FIG. 6, the drive lever 26 has a first wing 38 and a second wing 39 with respect to which the release button 30 is retracted, in a direction substantially perpendicular to the strap 12. Each wing 38, 39 is in a lateral position with respect to the lever 26, The release button 30 is housed between the wings 38, 39 of the drive lever 26.

[0046] This construction is particularly interesting if the tightening device is located between the user's feet. This means that the first lateral edge S of the binding 1 is an outer edge, and that the second lateral edge 6 is an inner edge.

[0047] When the user has only one foot retained on the board 3, and pushes in alternate steps with the other foot, a moving boot frequently strikes the tightening device of the binding of the other boot that is still retained. Since the release button 30 is retracted, it is not actuated by the moving boot if the latter strikes the tightening device,

[0048] As a result, the release button 30 is not accidentally actuated against the user's will.

[0049] However, he latter can easily loosen the linkage 10. To this end, he/she only needs to act on the handling end 33 of the release button 30, for example with a finger, toward the free end 35 of the strap 12.

[0050] Generally speaking, the constituent elements of the linkage 10, especially those of the tightening device 13, are made with materials and according to techniques known to a person having ordinary skill in the art.

[0051] The invention is not limited to the example described hereinabove, and it includes all of the technical equivalents that fall within the scope of the claims that follow.

[0052] For example, the drive lever 26 and the release button 30 could have other shapes.

[0053] The drive lever could have only one wing.

[0054] The release button 30 could be retracted by at least one of the flanges of the base. In this case, the flange passes either through an opening of the drive lever, or adjacent the lever. A supplemental piece can be added to the tightening device to enable the retraction of the release button 30.

[0055] Furthermore, the inner structure of the tightening device could be different, For example, the ratchet and the release button could form a unitary piece journalled about an axis, and not two distinct pieces.

[0056] Still, although the example of tightening device has been described for an application in the field of snowboard bindings, the device can be provided for use in different technical fields, such as those related to boots, garments, bags, or the like.

[0057] The instant application is based upon French Patent Application No. 00 07118, filed May 30, 2000, the disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference thereto in its entirety, and the priority of which is hereby claimed under 35 U.S.C. §119. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A device for tightening a strap, the device comprising: a base having a first flange, a second flange, and a bridge connecting said first and second flanges; a lever journalled on said base between said flanges, said lever comprising: driving end adapted to drive the strap along a first direction substantially parallel to said flanges and to said bridge; and a handling end for manual manipulation; a ratchet journalled on said base between said flanges, said ratchet having a retaining part to oppose displacement of the strap along a second direction opposite to the first direction, an elastic mechanism applying a biasing force to constantly bias said retaining part of said ratchet toward said bridge; a release button provided to move said retaining part of said ratchet in a direction away from said bridge against said biasing force of said elastic mechanism, said release button being substantially retracted with respect to said lever, or with respect to said flanges, in a direction substantially perpendicular to said bridge, when said lever is in a rest position, enabling the strap to be retained, said handling end of said lever being closest to said bridge in said rest position.
 2. A tightening device according to claim 1, wherein said lever comprises a first wing and a second wing, said handling end of said release button being housed between said first and second wings.
 3. A tightening device according to claim 1, wherein said ratchet and said release button are two distinct pieces.
 4. A tightening device comprising: a base having a first flange, a second flange, and a bridge connecting said first and second flanges, said bridge adapted to be affixed to a surface; a lever journalled on said base for movement about an axis extending between said flanges, said lever comprising: a driving end adapted to drive a toothed strap along a first direction substantially parallel to said flanges and to said bridge; and a handling end for manual manipulation, said handling end being movable through a plurality of positions, including: a rest position; and a range of positions, from said rest position along a path extending away from said bridge during driving of said toothed strap; a ratchet journalled on said base for movement about an axis extending between said flanges, said ratchet having a retaining part movable between two positions, including: an engaged position in which said retaining part of said ratchet is elastically biased toward said bridge in engagement with the toothed strap, opposing displacement of the toothed strap in said second direction, opposite of said first direction, in said rest position and in said range of positions of said handling end of said lever; and a release position in which said retaining part of said ratchet is moved from said engaged position away from said bridge and out of engagement with the toothed strap; a release member mounted on said base to move said retaining part of said ratchet from said engaged position to said release position while said handling end of said lever is in said rest position.
 5. A tightening device according to claim 4, wherein said release member and said lever are mounted on said base about a single axis.
 6. A tightening device according to claim 4, wherein said lever comprising a first wing and a second wing, said release member comprises a handling end positioned between said first and second wings.
 7. A tightening device according to claim 4, wherein said ratchet and said release button comprise two distinct pieces.
 8. A sports-related item comprising a tightening device according to claim
 4. 9. A snowboard binding comprising: (A) a baseplate, first and second spaced apart lateral edges extending upwardly from said baseplate, and an arch connecting said first and second lateral edges behind a boot to be retained by the binding; (B) a linkage to removably retain the boot upon the baseplate, said linkage comprising: (1) a covering member to extend over a forward area of the boot, said covering being connected to said first lateral edge; (2) a strap connected to said second lateral edge; (3) a tightening device comprising: (a) a base having a first flange, a second flange, and a bridge connecting said first and second flanges, said bridge fixed to said covering member; (b) a lever journalled on said base for movement about an axis extending between said flanges, said lever comprising: (i) a driving end adapted to drive a toothed strap along a first direction substantially parallel to said flanges and to said bridge; and (ii) a handling end for manual manipulation, said handling end being movable through a plurality of positions, said plurality of positions including a rest position and a range of positions, said range of positions extending from said rest position along a path extending away from said bridge during driving of said toothed strap; (c) a ratchet journalled on said base for movement about an axis extending between said flanges, said ratchet having a retaining pat movable between two positions, including: (i) an engaged position in which said retaining part of said ratchet is elastically biased toward said bridge in engagement with the toothed strap, opposing displacement of the toothed strap in said second direction, opposite of said first direction, in said rest position and in said range of positions of said handling end of said lever; and (ii) a release position in which said retaining part of said ratchet is moved from said engaged position away from said bridge and out of engagement with the toothed strap; (d) a release member mounted on said base to move said retaining part of said ratchet from said engaged position to said release position while said handling end of said lever is in said rest position. 